Objects D'Art

Artist CVs

Current Exhibition - Dream Rift

Fredrik Mattson

The Swedish designer, Fredrik Mattson (1973 –), was born in Malmö and grew up to become an innovative and experimental designer whose oeuvre demonstrates fresh thinking and playful creation. Working in the contemporary design world, after training as a cabinetmaker and then going on to study interior and furniture design, Mattson’s work seems to interrogate and challenge design as a means to form dynamic possibilities. Colour and fabrics feature extensively and there is an element of movement and rhythm in the design of each piece, evident of the influence of music, which he has named as an inspiration. Mattson’s work looks at the way the body works in relation to objects around it and the way that such objects can function in relation to the body and this allows for interesting and appealing furniture solutions.

Fredrik Mattson worked as a cabinetmaker for two years, studying carpentry at Konstfack, University of Arts, Craft and Design, in Stockholm. He also studied furniture and interior design at Stenebyskolan. In 2001, he caught the attention of panelists for the Young Swedish Design award, which he won for the design of his multifunctional Innovation C chair. In 2002, Mattson was able to open his own design company, where he focuses on innovative furniture design. He has been awarded many medals, from museums, galleries and foundations around Europe and Britain. Mattson’s designs can be seen in films by the esteemed director Almadovar and has been featured in adverts for Citroen. He won the Wallpaper Design Award in 2011.

Fredrik Mattson designed the Fatback Chairs in order to question and attempt to answer the ways that people enjoy sitting, in all various forms. As such, the result was a chair that is able to be used in a variety of positions and can be grouped together to form a sofa. The chairs have been designed to function as singular chair units, while being able to link with other chairs that can form different shapes and arrangements. Much like the other designs by Mattson, the chair allows for the user to choose their own seating preference, even to sit on the backrest. The chair’s sturdy design and bright colour works for creating an engaging atmosphere and a bright and cheerful environment.